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WCC general secretary's sermon at United Methodist General Conference, Ecumenical Service (30 April 2024)

What is God calling Christians and the Christian Church to do today? Whose and what voices are we listening to?” asked Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in his sermon at the ecumenical worship of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) on 30 April, in Charlotte, North Carolina (US). 

General Secretary

WCC extends condolences, prayers in wake of Taiwan earthquake

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended condolences to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and those who lost loved ones and invited prayer and support for the people of Taiwan in the wake of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on 3 April.  

WCC to host discussion on humanitarian needs

The World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance, on 4 March, will host a 90-minute discussion on humanitarian needs. The purpose will be to hear and discuss the views of faith-based organisations on what constitutes humanitarian need” and how best to prioritize between different needs and contexts.

Seven Weeks for Water 2024, week 1: Water for peace in the Middle East region

The first reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Dr Munib Younan,* bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and former president of the Lutheran World Federation. In this reflection, the author, as a Palestinian, in line with this year's theme of "leveraging water for peace,” reflects on Isaiah's promise of free water for the thirsty in the context of the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza that has worsened the water situation in Gaza to catastrophic levels.

WCC condemns attacks against aid workers in southeast Ukraine

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed shock upon receiving the news of the deaths of two aid workers in an attack that injured three others, all from the non-governmental organization HEKS/EPER, on 1 February in southern Ukraine. 

Statement: Religious Leaders Unite for Climate Peace in Solidarity with Refugees

Reinforcing the traditional role of faith communities in offering sanctuary and, indeed hospitality to refugees, 90 faith-based leaders today committed to offering their continued and additional support to refugees, including children, on their journey to safety, including in reception and admission, meeting protection or service delivery needs and supporting communities to find solutions such as private sponsorship or scholarship programmes.

Ecumenical movement

Church of Ireland launches appeal to help survivors of Libya floods

The Church of Ireland BishopsAppeal for World Aid and Development has launched a disaster appeal in response to the catastrophic flooding in Libya. The floods, which were triggered by a Mediterranean storm, were focused on the city of Derna where almost 4,000 people are known to have died and over 9,000 are missing after torrents of rain and debris swept away entire districts.